Agenda item

Request from Chairman to report on the progress of the FCERM service since Cabinet approved (Sept 21) the re-structure of the service to meet aspirations of growing a regional delivery model.

The Head of Flood Risk Management presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book. The Committee was advised that In September 2021, Cabinet agreed for the re-structuring of the Flood & Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) service to allow growth in line with needs for the FCERM capital programme, aspirations for climate resilience and expertise sharing across the South-West region. Proposals were set out against the expectation that growth could be enabled at no additional cost to the Council due to the ability to secure central government grant in aid. A number of issues were raised in the subsequent discussion including:

A query was raised regarding the balance between a focus on the BCP area and the ability to be involved with the wider region. It was noted that there was increased capability but that over 90 percent of programme was BCP focused. Expanding out allowed the service to reduce costs and increase the income as well as building greater resilience. Which would hopefully make the service more attractive and see more people applying for jobs in the services.

In response to a query regarding funding the Committee was advised that some of it was local lending as well as grant funding, which was bid for through the Regional Flood and Coastal Committee. It was confirmed that it was all funding brought in which staff time could be charged against. It was therefore at zero cost to the Council.

The Committee enquired about the skills resource available and if this was now in a position to ensure preventable measures were put in place or if there were any concerns around acknowledge gap. The Committee was informed that there was now a role in the strategy and policy environment team of a principal engineering geologist and geotechnical engineer. They were now in the middle of developing a strategy which would provide a really good framework for decision making. Because there was significant risk in the cliff lift area it was suggested that a board made up of all decision makers within the cliff lift zone would help as a lot of the issue around there was from surface water and this would help ensure that there would not be problems with cliff slips.

·       The committee also received an update on ongoing projects for the FCERM service including future strategies around beach/cliff management.

·       In response to a question, it was explained that beach management would help prevent cliff erosion. It was noted that the service was looking to source supplies for the beach management campaign more locally. It was clarified that previous comments referred to looking at long term sea level rise and the impact on beach management.

·       The Portfolio Holder explained that a lot of effort had been put into building this team and he had been really impressed with the quality of staff. He also commented on the role of drones, which had been really useful in the recent oil spill in Poole.

·       A member asked about public engagement, particularly around the risks of climate change and flash flooding. It was suggested that it should be more collaborative with some sort of resident lead approach to flooding issues. It was acknowledged that communication with the public did need to improve and there was a need to be candid about what the risks were and what the Council were not able to do. Flooding and coastal erosion risk needed to be more open with communication across the sector and not just within BCP.

·       The Poole Bay risk management scheme was protecting 4000 properties from coastal erosion and the Council had recently bid for £500k for a suite of surface water management plans. This would also help identify where those communities most at risk were.

·       The need for residents to understand what the risk was for their properties and to help people with property level resistance levels.

·       It was confirmed that the Council worked in partnership with Wessex Water and shared data. They were also represented on the Regional Flood and Coastal Committee. The service also worked with organisations such as the RSPB, National trust, etc. It was acknowledged that how they managed flood risk was very different to BCP’s hold the line approach. The partners also sat on the shoreline management committee.

The Chairman thanked officers for bringing the report and advised that the Committee would consider what issues it would like to see further information coming back to the Committee on in future.